Ryan Whitaker

Starting a podcast in should not feel like assembling a spaceship. The best all-in-one podcast equipment bundles for beginners pack a microphone, stand, cables, and (sometimes) headphones into a single box, so you can go from zero to recording in under twenty minutes. I have been testing audio gear for over a decade, and I … Read more

I built my first two-host show in a spare bedroom with two mismatched USB mics and a $30 interface I bought without research. Six episodes later, our co-host’s mic picked up his laptop fan on every recording and we had to redo the entire back catalog after fixing the noise. That mistake taught me why … Read more

Starting a podcast in should not require an audio engineering degree. The best podcast starter kits for solo creators bundle everything you need, from the microphone to the cables, so you can hit record on day one. I tested and compared ten of the most popular starter kits available right now, ranging from budget USB … Read more

Looking for the best podcast equipment bundles for video podcasts but feeling overwhelmed by the choices on Amazon? I get it. I’ve spent the last three months testing 8 podcast bundles side-by-side with my team, and I’ll save you the guesswork. Video podcasts are blowing up on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts right now. The … Read more

Last summer, our team took a 2,800-mile family road trip from Denver to the Pacific Northwest in a mid-size SUV packed with camping gear, two kids’ worth of luggage, and enough snacks to survive a small siege. By mile 400, my wife turned around and asked the question every road-tripping parent dreads: “Where am I … Read more

When I first started streaming on Twitch, I was fumbling with keyboard shortcuts mid-game, missing scene switches, and apologizing to chat for awkward transitions. That’s when I discovered the best stream decks for Twitch streamers could fix all of that with a single tap. After three months of testing eight different models across my own … Read more

Looking for the best stream control panels for content creators to level up your streaming setup? I’ve spent the last three months testing eight of the most popular options on the market, from the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 to the X-keys XK-24 macro keypad, and I have real opinions about which ones are actually worth … Read more

I spent 90 days carrying different mobile podcast recording kits through airports, hotel rooms, and Airbnb rentals. My recording schedule does not pause for travel, so I had to find a setup that survived a roller bag and still produced broadcast-ready audio. After testing travel kits across three trips (a podcast tour through Chicago, a … Read more

I tested 10 different macro pads and stream controllers for over 60 days across OBS, Streamlabs, Twitch, and YouTube setups. The Elgato Stream Deck set the standard, but the best stream deck alternatives for live streaming in now match it on features while costing 30-70% less. After dozens of hours switching between scenes, muting mics, … Read more

I still remember hauling a four-case lighting rig to a 60-person wedding gig and spending more time untangling cables than mixing music. Moving head lights for small DJ setups changed that for me, and after testing dozens of fixtures over the past year, I want to share what actually works when you’re working in a … Read more